On Thursday, 17 September 2026, the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) will mark 20 years of supporting South Africa’s aerospace, defence, marine and advanced manufacturing industries during the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Exhibition. AISI was established in 2006 as a strategic initiative of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and growth of South Africa’s aerospace and defence industry. It is hosted and managed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau will attend and address the commemoration.
The milestone marks two decades of public investment in industrial capability, supplier development, localisation and export competitiveness, while highlighting the contribution of sustained government support and industry collaboration to the growth of South Africa’s advanced manufacturing base.
As a major platform bringing together industry leaders, technology developers, investors and international delegations, AAD 2026 provides an opportunity to reflect on AISI’s impact and showcase the capabilities of companies that have benefited from the initiative. the dtic has funded companies that have previously benefited or are currently benefitting from AISI assistance to showcase their products, technologies and capabilities at Africa's leading defence and aerospace exhibition.
These companies will demonstrate products, technologies and solutions developed with AISI support, while engaging with potential customers, investors, partners and international stakeholders.
Event details:
Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 09:30
Venue: Air Force Base, Waterkloof – Pretoria
Members of the media are requested to use the link below to register for attendance. Important to note, is that the accreditation process is linked to a security clearance, therefore the form must be filled in and submitted immediately.
https://aad.events.tixsa.co.za/media
Logistical details
Parking is available at the Armscor Building about 10 minutes away from the venue and members of the media will all be transported to the Airforce Base, Waterkloof, from 08:30 am. The day’s proceedings will begin with Minister Tau leading a walkabout at the exhibition venue (Hanger 2, Waterkloof Airforce Base).
The following officials will be available to assist the media colleagues on the ground:
Phumzile Kotane – the dtic
Cell number: 071 462 8246
Phetolo Phatsibi, CSIR Media Practitioner
Email: @email
Mobile: 0813968871
Media Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: @email
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
X: @the_dtic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedti?mibextid=ZbWKwL
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedtic
Website: https://www.thedtic.gov.za/
Published 10 September 2026